An acoustic piano with a volume control, or a digital piano with strings? Yamaha’s latest development stretches the imagination and opens up a whole new world of possibilities.
TransAcoustic is the name we have given to the technology that will power a new breed of piano. At its most basic level, it turns the soundboard into a loudspeaker. This means that any sound can be delivered through this naturally resonant piano component.
But there’s much more to TransAcoustic technology. Using a mechanism similar to that of the well-proven Silent Series, it is possible to prevent the hammers from striking the strings and, instead, to play back digital samples. Unlike the Silent instruments, however, there is no need for headphones or external amplification. The sound is played back though the soundboard. You can control the volume and select the sound - from a sampled CFX concert grand, or a choice of electric pianos to a marimba and harpsichord. And perhaps the most scintillating sounds are generated when you combine the acoustic and digital properties of the instrument - gentle orchestral strings under a natural piano, for example.
You can even play back pre-recorded accompaniment tracks as you perform.
Because the instrument is a real, fully strung and resonant piano, the natural, sympathetic vibrations of both the soundboard, case and, significantly, strings, add a completely new dimension to performance. The sampled sounds come to life with a brilliant realism no other instrument has approached.
Real acoustic piano
Most importantly, a TransAcoustic model is an acoustic piano with all the benefits you would expect from a Yamaha piano. Nearly all components are produced inhouse and therefore we guarantee high-level playability, long lasting durability and a beautiful sound when the hammers strike the strings. The string vibrations are transmitted via the bridges to the solid-wood soundboard which then resonates to produce the sound.
Play piano at any volume
There are times when the full sound of an acoustic piano may not be appreciated by your family or neighbours. For these situations, simply activate the TransAcoustic™ function and the hammers will no longer strike the strings. Non-contact sensors under each individual key detect your keystroke depth, velocity and timing and sends this information to the tone generator. Just adjust the volume and hear the digital sound of your piano performance coming from the entire instrument.
Enjoy different sounds
The TransAcoustic piano offers 19 pre-installed sounds, allowing you to select a voice to perfectly match the music genre of your performance. Select from a sampled CFX concert grand, or a choice of electric pianos and organs to a marimba and harpsichord. Additionally, you can connect any external sound source to be played back through the soundboard.
No external speakers needed
With Yamaha´s TransAcoustic technology there´s no need to connect external loudspeakers. At its most basic level, TransAcoustic technology turns the piano into a 'loudspeaker' and the soundboard is working as the membrane for that loudspeaker. There's no need to purchase extra speakers and leads. The piano is ready for you to play as soon as it's delivered into your home.
3D Sound Projection
Sounds played through speakers can often sound one directional as they are coming from a single source point. In contrast, the Yamaha TransAcoustic system uses the piano's soundboard to generate a larger and more natural sound. This technology makes the entire instrument a resonator, producing a rich and complex tone.
Natural string resonances
The TransAcoustic technology transmits the digital sound directly to the piano soundboard and makes the piano itself behave like a loudspeaker. The sound you hear has the natural tonal characteristics of the soundboard. The vibration of the soundboard is also transmitted to the piano strings and creates the same natural string resonance as when you play an acoustic piano. With the soundboard producing a rich tone and the strings a natural resonance effect, instrument voices sound better than ever. Digital was never more natural.
Combine acoustic and digital sound
Perhaps the most scintillating sounds are generated when you combine the acoustic and digital properties of the instrument - gentle orchestral strings under a natural piano, for example. You can also combine the CFX concert grand piano sample with the piano's own acoustic sound to give it more power and depth.
Play-along to music
Another way to enjoy TransAcoustic technology is to play the piano accompanied by pre-recorded tracks played through the soundboard. Because the instrument is a real, fully strung and resonant piano, the natural sympathetic vibrations of the soundboard, case and more significantly strings add a completely new dimension to performance. The sampled sounds come to life with a brilliant realism no other instrument can match. You can use the USB port to play back .wav-files or use the AUX-IN jack to connect an external music player.
Silent Piano SH included
The TransAcoustic Piano features Yamaha's renowned Silent Piano SH technology, so practice sessions can also be conducted with headphones. The binaural sampled CFX concert grand piano sample uses a dummy head recording technique to capture the sound from the player's natural listening position. This offers the perfect environment to play without being disturbed or disturbing others.
Cabinet | Finish | Polished Ebony |
---|---|---|
Dimensions | Width | 153 cm (60 1/4") |
Height | 121 cm (47 3/4") | |
Depth | 61 cm (24") | |
Weight | Weight | 242 kg (534 lb) |
Keyboard | Number of Keys | 88 |
Key Surfaces - White | Acrylic resin | |
Key Surfaces - Black | Phenolic resin | |
Keyboard Action | Made by Yamaha | |
Soundboard | Drive System | Mechanism: TransAcoustic™ technology |
Hammer | Type | U Series Special |
Pedal | Type | Damper / Silencing / Soft |
Frame | Type | V-pro made by Yamaha |
Back Post | Number | 5 |
Caster | Type | Single |
Lid | Prop Safety Stop | - |
Key Cover | Lid/Fallboard Locks | Yes |
Soft-Close Fallboard | Yes |
Type | SH | |
---|---|---|
Sensor System | Key Sensor | Non-contact continuous detection optical sensor |
Hammer Sensor | - | |
Pedal Sensors | Damper pedal: Continuous detection sensor, Soft pedal: ON/OFF detection sensor | |
Mechanism | Hammer shank stopper operated by silencing pedal | |
Action | - | |
Digital Tone | Type | AWM Stereo Sampling |
Sound Engine (Piano) | SILENT Piano™ mode: CFX Binaural Sampling TransAcoustic™ mode: CFX Stereo Sampling | |
Piano Effects | Damper Resonance, String Resonance, Sustain Sample, Key-Off Sample | |
Internal Tone | Polyphony (max) | 256 |
Number of Voices | 19 (16 voices + 3 dual voices) | |
Voice Selection (Playback) | 480 XG voices + 12 Drum / SFX kits | |
Wave Memory | 256MB | |
Functions | Reverb | Room / Hall 1 / Hall 2 / Stage |
Pitch Control | 414.8Hz to 466.8Hz | |
Metronome | Yes | |
Preset Songs | 53 (50 Greats for the Piano + 3 piano demonstrations) | |
MIDI Recording/Playback | Yes | |
USB Audio Recorder | Yes | |
Connectors | Headphones | Mini Stereo Jack x 2 |
MIDI IN/OUT | Yes | |
AUX IN/OUT | Mini Stereo Jack | |
Speaker Output | - | |
USB TO DEVICE | Yes | |
Power Supply | Power Consumption | 38 W |
Auto Power Off | Yes | |
Accessories | Headphones, Headphone hanger, Owner's manual, Music book "50 Greats for the Piano" |